In India football is being played since the 1880s, when the english brought the game to the country. In states like Bengal and Goa football is the most popular sport.

India has a number of top teams spread across the country.
Since Independence Calcutta's "Maidan big-three", Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting have been successful and the three clubs have fans throughout the country. Other top teams are Goan clubs Salgaocar and Churchill Brothers, Punjab-side JCT Mills and FC Kochin from Kerala.

India vs Pakistan in whatever sport is always a big happening for sports fans across the border but the tensions aren't that high in football as India has won all matches in their last few meetings! The more interesting south-Asia football derby is between India vs Bangladesh because the standard is similar in the two countries and the Bengalis see the match as a derby.